Wednesday, November 30, 2011

So I'm invited to this cookie swap/contest again this year, and this year it also includes a "starter smackdown." So I have TWO CHANCES to win this thing. Come on people; help me out. Your best cookie recipe and your best appetizer recipe. Or even just tell me what you would most want to see in the competition.

How fun! This gingerbread from SF Bakery Tartine is just a little fancy, but not too crazy. Black pepper adds some spice to chewy gingerbread goodness. And, they're really easy - http://emilystyle.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-favorites-tartines-gingerbread.html

As for apps, I like the butter overload of dungeness crab with fresh herbs and a tiny bit of mayo baked in little filo dough cups. Also, pretty easy. You can use cucumber cups instead - if you're a killjoy.

How comfortable/creative a baker are you? I suggest taking a look at Martha Stewart's cookie recipes for ideas, as hers range from the very simple to the very complicated, and the recipes are generally very well-written and easy to follow. These have always intrigued me because they are so simple and pretty, though I've never made them.

I like dips, spreads, and cheese-based items for appetizers. I'm having my cookie party on Saturday and plan to make white bean aioli from Veganomicon; pimento cheese toasts and probably a cheese ball. If you want to be super-insane and win the app competition for encouraging pure gluttony you might consider the turducken of cheese balls.